Thunder over the Boardwalk

Thunder Over the Boardwalk (also known as the Atlantic City Airshow) is an annual airshow held over the Atlantic City boardwalk every summer. It has occurred since 2003 and is currently one of the largest airshows in North America. What sets it apart, aside from being a beach show, is the fact that it usually occurs on a Wednesday. It takes place along the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in front of the boardwalk, with the casinos in the background. Flybys and demonstrations as high as 15000 ft and as low as 50 ft over the water in front of the Atlantic City skyline.

It is produced by a joint venture of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey Air National Guard's 177th Fighter Wing, The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, David Schultz Airshows, The Press of Atlantic City and WOND-AM. In 2020, the airshow had its first cancellation in its history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, due to circumstances outside of the organizers control, the air show had its second cancellation in its history.

About
The airshow itself primarily showcases military aviation, with demonstrations from the USAF Thunderbirds, United States Navy Blue Angels, US Army Golden Knights, as well as demonstrations from current Air Force and Navy aircraft, such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II, AV-8B Harrier, F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Military flybys over the four years of the airshow have included the B-2 Spirit, C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, C-141 Starlifter, F-22 Raptor, KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Stratotanker, and the P-3 Orion. Helicopters that have showed up over the years include the MH-60S Knighthawk, the HH-60 Jayhawk, the CH-146 Griffon, and the HH-65 Dauphin (the HH-60 and HH-65 - usually two HH-65s - perform a simultaneous search and rescue demonstration over the water).

Aerobatic performers over the years have included Kirby Chambliss, Doug Dodge, Michael Hunter, John Klatt, and Sean Tucker. The Horseman Mustang Demonstration by Jim Beasley and Ed Shipley have also appeared along with the Skytypers and the Vultures Formation Team. The FAA's William J Hughes Technical Center at Atlantic City International Airport has showcased itsConvair 440, Boeing 727-100, and Gulfstream in the show as well. The New Jersey State Police have also shown its Bell 206 and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters in the airshows.

Show center is marked in front of Boardwalk Hall (Florida Avenue) and the beach. Aircraft staging for the airshow is done at Atlantic City International Airport and at McGuire AFB, both of which are off-limits to the public.

The USAF Heritage Flight and the US Navy Legacy Flight have also performed at the show.

Announcers
The announcers for the Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow have included Gordon Bowman-Jones (2003 and 2005), Howdy McCann (2004 and 2006) and Pinky Kravitz (2003-2014).

2003
The first show took place on August 27, 2003, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight. Headlining the show were the Thunderbirds and the Golden Knights. The show also featured demonstrations from the A-10, F-14, F-15, and F-16, all jam packed into a five and a half hour flying display. The weather was not very favorable, as it was hazy for the entire day.

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons (Four-Ship formation)
 * 111th Fighter Wing-A-10 Thunderbolt II (Four-Ship formation)
 * 118th Fighter Wing-A-10 Thunderbolt II (Two-Ship Demonstration/Flybys)
 * A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo Team
 * C-17 Globemaster III 2-Ship Flybys
 * C-141B Starlifter Flyby
 * EC-130E Command Solo Flyby
 * F-14 Tomcat Demonstration
 * F-15 Eagle East Coast Demo Team
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * HC-130J Hercules Flyby
 * HH-65 Dauphin 2-Ship demonstration
 * HU-25 Guardian Flyby
 * KC-10 Extender Flybys
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * KC-135E and 4x F-16 NJ ANG Refueling demonstration
 * The Horsemen - Jim Beasley and Ed Shipley
 * Ed Shipley F-86 Sabre Demonstration
 * Collings Foundation B-17G Flying Fortress flyby
 * USAF Heritage Flight

2004
The 2004 show was held on August 18, and featured the same four demonstrations, as it would be the last time an F-14 Tomcat would fly over Atlantic City, along with the last airshow appearance of a C-141B Starlifter from McGuire AFB, as the type was being withdrawn from active duty service. The skies were about the same as they were in 2003, and all of the performers were able to put on their best shows for over 350,000 airshow fans and beach-goers.

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo Team
 * C-17 Globemaster III Demonstration
 * F-14 Tomcat Demonstration
 * F-15 Eagle East Coast Demo Team
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * HH-60 Jayhawk SAR Demonstration
 * HH-65B Dauphin SAR Demonstration
 * MH-60S Knighthawk Demonstration
 * C-5 Galaxy Flyby
 * C-130E Hercules Flyby (two-ship)
 * C-141B Starlifter Flyby
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons (four-ship formation)
 * HC-130 Hercules Flyby
 * KC-10 Extender Flyby
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * KC-135E & F-16 Refueling Pass
 * P-3C Orion Flyby
 * S-3 Viking Flyby
 * The Starfighters
 * Vulture Formation Team
 * Jim Beasley Jr.-P-51 Mustang
 * FAA Tech Center Aircraft Flyby
 * Horizon Blue Cross Blimp
 * Yellow Book Pitts
 * USAF Heritage Flight

2005
The 2005 show was held on August 31, and featured the Thunderbirds once again, but the show was threatened by bad weather inland (caused by the remnants of Hurricane Katrina), which kept many of the performers from showing up, including Dale Snodgrass. High winds curtailed the Golden Knights and Black Daggers from jumping and caused sea spray coming off the ocean to ruin any chances of photographers getting decent pictures. The show was still a success, with over 200,000 people attending.

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * US Army SOC Black Daggers
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons
 * A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo Team
 * AETC Flyby-Two T-1A Jayhawks and T-38 Talon
 * AV-8B Harrier Demonstration
 * C-5B Galaxy Flyby
 * C-130 Hercules Flyby
 * CH-146 Griffon Demonstration
 * Connecticut ANG A-10 Warthog Flyby
 * F-15 Eagle West Coast Demo Team
 * HC-130H Hercules Flyby
 * KC-10 Extender Flyby
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * KC-135E & F-16 Refueling Pass
 * USCG Search and Rescue Demonstration (two HH-65s)
 * Dale Snodgrass
 * Kirby Chambliss
 * Michael Hunter
 * John Klatt
 * NJSP S-76+ Demonstration/Flybys
 * Horizon Blue Cross Blimp
 * FAA Technical Center (Convair 580 & Boeing 727-25C Flybys)
 * Missing Man Formation (The Vultures)

2006
In December 2005, the Thunderbirds announced they were returning to Atlantic City for the fourth installment of the show. In February 2006, the Blue Angels announced they had a show site listed as "TBA" for August 23 - the same date as the Atlantic City show. In March, it was formally announced that the Blue Angels would be joining the Thunderbirds for the 2006 show.

Joining the Blues and Birds were a slew of performers making their Atlantic City debut, including Sean Tucker, the new F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team, the B-2 Spirit, the F-4 Phantom, and the F-22 Raptor. The weather had turned out to be fantastic, with over 600,000 people attending the airshow, making the 2006 airshow one of the largest events ever held in Atlantic City up until that time. All of the pieces of the puzzle had fit together nicely and both jet teams held their annual reunion at Atlantic City.

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Navy Blue Angels
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcon
 * B-2 Spirit Flyby
 * C-17 Globemaster III Flyby
 * F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * F-22 Raptor Flybys
 * HH-65 Dauphin & HH-60 Jayhawk SAR Demonstration
 * HU-25 Guardian Flyby
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * KC-10 Extender Flyby
 * P-3C Orion Flyby
 * QF-4E Phantom II Demonstration/Flybys
 * Sean Tucker
 * Michael Hunter
 * Jim Beasley Jr.-P-51 Mustang
 * GEICO Sktypers
 * USAF Heritage Flight
 * FAA Tech Center (Global 5000 and Boeing 727 Flybys)
 * New Jersey State Police (S-76 SWAT Demo) Flybys

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * A-10 Thunderbolt II Flyby
 * AV-8B Harrier Demonstration
 * B-2 Spirit Flyby
 * C-5 Galaxy Flyby
 * C-17 Globemaster III Flyby
 * Ch-46 Sea Knight Flyby
 * EC-130J Command Solo Flyby
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon (Four Ship Formation)
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demonstration Team
 * F/A-18C Hornet Demonstration-VFA-106
 * KC-135E Stratotanker Flyby
 * USCG Search & Rescue Demonstration
 * Matt Chapman
 * Michael Mancuso
 * Rob Holland
 * Horsemen Mustang Demonstration
 * GEICO Skytypers
 * Red Stars Formation Team
 * USAF Heritage Flight
 * FAA William J Hughes Tech Center (Global 5000 Flyby)
 * New Jersey State Police (S-76 and Bell 206 SWAT Demonstration) Flybys
 * Horizon Blue Cross Blimp

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 106th Rescue Wing-HC-130P & HH-60G
 * 177th Fighter Wing F-16 Fighting Falcons
 * C-17 Globemaster III Flyby-Dover AFB
 * C-17 Globemaster III Flyby-McGuire AFB
 * CH-46 Sea Knight Flyby
 * EC-130J Command Solo Flyby
 * F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * F/A-18F Super Hornet Demonstration-VFA-106
 * HH-65 Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo
 * KC-10 Extender Flyby
 * KC-135 Stratotanker Flyby
 * MH-53E Sea Dragon Fly
 * Matt Chapman
 * Tim Weber
 * Greg Poe
 * Ed Hamill
 * Red Eagles
 * Josh Wilson-Yak-50
 * Jim Beasley Jr. (P-51 Demo)
 * Lee Lauderback (P-51 in HF)
 * Northeast Raiders Formation
 * NJ State Police Bell 206 & S-76 Flybys
 * FAA Tech Center DC-3, Global Express Flybys
 * USAF Heritage Flight
 * US Navy Legacy Flight

2009
The show was held on Wednesday, August 19. It debuted the Flightline Club which provided public seating on the beach and also featured a la carte food and beverage service. The weather had turned out to be fantastic, with over 750,000 people attending the airshow, making it one of the largest events ever held in Atlantic City. The schedule included the USAF Heritage Flight featuring the F-16, A-10 and 2 P-51s and the US Navy Legacy Flight featuring F/A-18F and F4U Corsair.

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 1st Fighter Wing-F-22 Raptors (Four Ship)
 * 106th Rescue Wing Combat Search & Rescue Demonstration
 * 108th Air Refueling Wing-KC-135R Stratotanker
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons
 * NJ ANG Refueling Pass- KC-135R & F-16s
 * 514th Air Mobility Wing-C-17 Globemaster III
 * 514th Air Mobility Wing-KC-10 Extender
 * 914th Airlift Wing-C-130 Hercules (two)
 * A-10 Thunderbolt II East Coast Demo Team
 * CH-46 Sea Knight (HMM-774)
 * E-2C Hawkeye Flyby (VAW-120)
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Demo Team
 * F/A-18F Super Hornet Demonstration - VFA-106
 * USCG Search & Rescue Demonstration
 * Rob Holland
 * Tim Weber
 * Josh Wilson
 * KYW-3 Chopper 3
 * Red Eagle Aerobatic Team
 * New Jersey State Police Flybys
 * The Horsemen
 * FAA Tech Center Flybys - Global Express
 * US Navy Legacy Flight
 * USAF Heritage Flight

2010
The 2010 show was held on Wednesday, August 25 – 100 years after Atlantic City and Asbury Park hosted New Jersey's very first airshows. According to the New Jersey State Police there were over 750,000 people in attendance.

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * Brazilian Smoke Squadron
 * Rob Holland MX2
 * USMC Harrier jump jet
 * Tom Duffy's B-25 Flybys
 * U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet
 * Jim Beasley Jr. P-51
 * USAF A-10A Thunderbolt II Demo Team
 * USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team
 * USCG Search & Rescue demonstration
 * Military Flybys (KC-135, F-16, C-17, KC-10, and many more)
 * FAA William J Hughes Technical Center aircraft flybys
 * USN E-2C Hawkeye demonstration

2011
The show was held on Wednesday, August 17.

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team (Flag Jump w/US National Anthem followed by Mass Show)
 * Canadian Skyhawks Parachute Team (Full Show w/ Canadian National Anthem)
 * USAF-ANG 177th FW F-16 Fighting Falcon (4-ship flyby)
 * USAF-ANG 108th ARW KC-135 Stratotanker
 * New Jersey Air National Guard (KC-135 & F-16s composite flyby)
 * Heavy Metal Jet Team L-39C
 * USAF-ANG 166th AW, C-130H Hercules (2-ship flyby)
 * NJ State Police Aviation Unit
 * MedEVAC 5 Helicopter flybys
 * Jim Beasley Jr. Spitfire MK18
 * GEICO Skytypers
 * USCG MH-65C Search & Rescue
 * USAF 514th AMW, C-17A Globemaster III
 * US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet
 * Tom Duffy F4U Corsair
 * USMC HMM-774 CH-46E Seaknight
 * USAF-ANG 103rd RQS (HC-130 & HH-60G para-rescue demonstration)
 * USAF-ANG 106th RQS HC-130H Hercules
 * Jim Beasley P-51D Mustang
 * USAF A-10C Thunderbolt II
 * USAF Heritage Flight
 * GEICO SNJ-2 vs. GEICO SpeedBoat race
 * Heavy Metal Jet Team
 * Kendal Simpson Pitts Model 12

2012
The 2012 show was held on Friday, August 17. This was the first year the show was held on a weekend. Early attendance estimates were for 1 million people.

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * 7th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer Flyby
 * 106th Rescue Wing-HC-130H
 * 143rd Airlift Wing-C-130J-30 Hercules
 * 166th Airlift Wing-C-130H Hercules
 * 177th Fighter Wing-F-16 Fighting Falcons
 * 305th AMW/514th AMW-C-17 Globemaster III
 * 2 QF-4E Phantom
 * SH-60B Seahawk
 * USCG Search & Rescue Demonstrations (MH-65s)
 * USCG HC-130J Hercules
 * Black Diamond Jet Team
 * Hawker Beechcraft Texan II
 * GEICO Skytypers
 * Northeast Raiders
 * Red Eagle Airsports
 * Andrew McKenna (T-6)
 * Jim Beasley Jr. (Spitfire & P-51)
 * USAF Heritage Flight
 * FAA William J Hughes Tech Center (Convair 580 & Global 5000)
 * New Jersey State Police (AW139, Bell 206,S-76)

2013
In 2013, the show returned to a Wednesday but it was held in June instead of its traditional month of August. This year, spending cuts by the United States federal government due to budget sequestration forced the US military to cancel all appearances at airshows, including this show. As a result, there were no US military flybys, jet demonstration teams, parachute teams, or solo demonstrations by select fighters. While many airshows elsewhere were canceled due to the absence of US military support, Atlantic City organizers decided the show was going to be held regardless. At the same time, they had a challenge: more commercial acts meant that organizers were looking for more donations to cover the costs of this airshow. Overall, they still managed to put on a good show even without the US military to provide the "thunder" that gave this airshow its name.

2014
The show returned to its traditional month of August. It was held on Wednesday, August 13. With the end of sequestration, US military participants returned to the show.

Performers

 * USAF Thunderbirds
 * US Army Golden Knights
 * USMC Harrier demonstration
 * Andrew McKenna P-51
 * USCG Search & Rescue
 * Jim Beasley Jr. Spitfire
 * Jason Flood Pitts S1S
 * Jack Kelly 1951 Bell 47 Helicopter Model D1
 * AtlantiCare Medical Helo
 * MidAtlantic MedEvac Helo
 * 6ABC News Chopper
 * USMC AV-8B Harrier II
 * Geico Skytypers (6-ship) & Geico Speedboat race
 * Warrior Aviation L-39
 * Raiders Demonstration Team
 * FAA Flybys
 * Andrew McKenna P-51 & Jim Beasley Jr. Spitfire (2-ship routine)
 * Rob Holland MX-2 Aerobatics (World Unlimited Aerobatic Champion)

2015
The show was held on Wednesday, September 2. The Blue Angels were the first announced participant. The Star-Spangled Banner was delivered by Lee Greenwood.

Performers

 * USN Blue Angels
 * Jim Beasley III – J3 Cub
 * LUCAS Oil Skydivers Flag Jump
 * Mike Wiskus – LUCAS Oil Pitts
 * GEICO Skytypers
 * Jim Beasley Jr. – SNJ Texan
 * Jack Kelly – Bell 47D1 Helicopter
 * AtlantiCare Medical Helicopter
 * MidAtlantic MedEvac Helicopter
 * Chopper 6 (WPVI – Channel 6 ABC)
 * New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit
 * Raiders Aerobatic Demonstration Team
 * Jim Beasley – P-51D Mustang
 * USAF F-22 Raptor
 * USAF Heritage Flight (F-22 & P-51)
 * GEICO Skytypers vs. Miss GEICO Speedboat Race
 * Matt Chapman Embry Riddle CAP580
 * USCG Search & Rescue Demonstration
 * Mike Wiskus – LUCAS Oil Pitts
 * USN Blue Angels – C-130T Hercules

2020
The airshow was canceled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022
The show was held on Wednesday, August 24.

Performers

 * U.S. Army Golden Knights Flag Jump with National Anthem
 * U.S. Army Golden Knights Mass Exit Show
 * N.J. Air National Guard 177th FW F-16 Flyby
 * N.J. Air National Guard 108th WG KC-135 Flyby
 * NBC 10 Helicopter Flybys
 * N.J. Air National Guard Composite Wing Flyby (KC-135 & 2 F-16s)
 * Chris Thomas SNJ-2 Aerobatics
 * U.S. Navy MH-53 Super Stallions Flyover
 * U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III Demonstration
 * Medical Helicopter Flybys
 * N.J. State Police Flybys
 * 552nd Air Control Wing E-3C Sentry Flyby
 * N.J. Air National Guard UH-60 SPIES/FRIES Demonstration
 * 552nd Air Command Wing E-3C Sentry Flyby
 * 1st HS, UH-1N Twin Huey (2-ship) Flyby
 * FAA William J. Hughes Aircraft Flybys (2-passes)
 * Jim Beasley Jr./Ed Shipley Ti-6 (2-ship) Demo
 * U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration
 * Paul Dougherty Eagle Aerobatics
 * Full Throttle Formation Team
 * Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration
 * Jim Beasley Jr. P-51 Mustang Demonstration
 * U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet Demonstration
 * U.S. Navy Legacy Flight F/A-18 & FG-1D Corsair
 * U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Enlistment Ceremony
 * U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

2024
For the second time in its history, the Atlantic City Airshow was canceled for 2024 due to circumstances outside of the organizers control. First, in the spring of 2024, there had been some skepticism regarding sources of funding to make the air show possible. Then, came word that the US Air Force Thunderbirds would no longer be supporting weekday air shows due to logistical challenges of having to squeeze in a middle of the week Air show with an air show either the previous weekend or a week or so afterwards. The tipping point came on July 10th, when organizers announced that after a major act pulled out, the 2024 edition of the Atlantic City Airshow had to be canceled

Photographic challenges
For a photographer, Thunder Over the Boardwalk presents a challenging set of circumstances to get the best shot. The show takes place over the Atlantic Ocean, which means that one is facing the sun all morning and into the afternoon. Getting decent pictures of the aircraft as they pass by the casinos is not difficult at all, as well as getting pictures of the Golden Knights as they land, with the casinos in the background. Photographers on the beach at show center cannot get that many pictures of aircraft when they are at show left because the Pier at Caesars juts out into the ocean about 1000 ft and is a virtual obstruction either way. Because of the pier, aircraft are forced to fly almost half a mile away from the shore line for safety reasons.